So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
How could you believe me when I said I love you
When you know I've been a liar all my life
I've had that reputation since I was a youth
You must have been insane to think I'd tell you the truth
How could you believe me when I said we'd marry
When you know I'd rather hang than have a wife
I know I said I'd make you mine
But who would know that you would go for that old line
How could you believe me when I said I love you
When you know I've been a liar
Nothing but a liar, all my doggone cheatin' life
(Girl) You said you would love me long, and never would do me wrong
And faithful you'd always be
(Boy) Oh, baby, you must be loony to trust a lower than low two time like me
(Girl) You said I'd have everything, a beautiful diamond ring
A bungalow by the sea
(Boy)You're really naive to ever believe a full of baloney phoney like me
(Girl) Say! How about the time you went to Indiana
(Boy) I was lyin' I was down in Alabama!
(Girl) You said you had some business you had to complete
(Boy) What I was doin' I would be a cad to repeat
(Girl) What about the evenings you were with your mother
(Boy) I was romping with another honey lamb
(Girl) To think you swore our love was real
(Boy) But, baby, let us not forget, that I'm a heel
How could you believe me when I said I love you
When you know I've been a liar, nothing but a liar
When you know I've been a liar all my life
I've had that reputation since I was a youth
You must have been insane to think I'd tell you the truth
How could you believe me when I said we'd marry
When you know I'd rather hang than have a wife
I know I said I'd make you mine
But who would know that you would go for that old line
How could you believe me when I said I love you
When you know I've been a liar
Nothing but a liar, all my doggone cheatin' life
(Girl) You said you would love me long, and never would do me wrong
And faithful you'd always be
(Boy) Oh, baby, you must be loony to trust a lower than low two time like me
(Girl) You said I'd have everything, a beautiful diamond ring
A bungalow by the sea
(Boy)You're really naive to ever believe a full of baloney phoney like me
(Girl) Say! How about the time you went to Indiana
(Boy) I was lyin' I was down in Alabama!
(Girl) You said you had some business you had to complete
(Boy) What I was doin' I would be a cad to repeat
(Girl) What about the evenings you were with your mother
(Boy) I was romping with another honey lamb
(Girl) To think you swore our love was real
(Boy) But, baby, let us not forget, that I'm a heel
How could you believe me when I said I love you
When you know I've been a liar, nothing but a liar
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know I've Bee Lyrics as written by Burton Lane Alan Jay Lerner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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